Herding Cats or Coaching T-Ball. Same thing, right?

We interrupt this DRAMA zone for a little update on the kidlets.

This evening when we asked Hollis to do something, he turned to us and said, in a perfect imitation of my slightly sarcastic tone, "That's really not necessary right now."  I could practically hear myself saying that to H&H!

What with Hollis's sarcastic rejoinders and the ability to write his own name, I've sort of forgotten that he's only been on this planet for 4 years.  Then I had a nice reminder this morning that those 4 year olds haven't yet learned all that stuff we take for granted.  Like what bases mean in baseball.

Today was H1's first t-ball practice.  Man, are they CUTE at this age!  But boy does their coach have a lot of patience. 

The first thing the coach had the t-ball kidlets do, was learn how to catch a ground ball with their gloves.  Or hands.  Or whatever.  So, of course, I had to whip out the camera to document the moment:

At least she had the attention of three of them.  But the girl in pink then headed off to the other side of the gym to play basketball and I think the girl between her and Elvis really had to pee.

After that, she let them try out the different positions and get in a little batting practice. 

For some reason Hollis instinctively adopted some attitude when batting, and turned his hat around.  My little rebel.

The first time someone hit the ball and started running, everyone in the "field" just stood there.  When the coach yelled out "GET THE BALL!" the runner detoured from his route to first base and retrieved his own ball.  He got quite a laugh from the fans in the stands, guaranteeing that his trick will be repeated.  You're welcome, coach!

The second time someone hit the ball (along the first base line), everyone went after it.  Including the short stop, the second base man, and Hollis at third base.  The resulting toddler scrum reminds us that we have to be ultra-specific with the pre-school set.

I'm not sure if anyone actually got the ball, but someone definitely has to go to the bathroom again.

After that, the coach had the kidlets run the bases because for some reason not everyone seemed to get that you actually had to touch the bases and that you had to run to all of them and not, say, start at second base. *cough*Hollis*cough

The one and only time H1 rounded first base.  Every other time he went straight for second base and then brought it home after jumping neatly over third base.

Well, we all know that organized sports for toddlers is an oxymoron.  Besides, it's not really about baseball.  It's all about the snacks.